[Inquiry on the future of newborns treated in intensive care units for children. III. Neurologic anomalies].

This study concerned newborns admitted between 0 and 10 days of life at the intensive care unit of the Hospital St-Vincent-de-Paul from 1969 to 1972. They were followed later as outpatients. Out of 1,607 newborns admitted, 1,126 survived (average mortality: 30%). 532 were examined after one year, 397 after two years. On the whole prognosis may be considered as good: at 2 years of age, 8% had major neurologic abnormalities; 4% minor abnormalities, no increase in the percentage of major neurologic abnormalities between 1969 (6%) and 1972 (5%), whereas mortality decreased from 36 to 24%. The various types of neurologic deficits were analyzed, according to their effects on rehabilitation (4% had severe retardation, 11% moderate retardation). The sensory involvement (3%) and intercurrent seizures (10%) were also analyzed. According to the bias of the Unit in recruitment, this enquiry concerned children close from term or medium premature children (B.W. 1,500 g) : this diminishes the true rate of the neurologic deficit. The relationships between etiology of neonatal distress and delayed neurologic abnormalities are emphasized.